Both Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors were in favour of the honour, but Tory councillors led by Blackman opposed it.

Labour councillors then attempted to use a simple majority to force through the honour, rather than the two-thirds majority needed. But Blackman obtained an injunction from the High Court, which PSBook said cost the borough's mayor Len Williams, and race relations advisor Dorman Long around £11,000.

Tony McNulty, the ex-Labour MP ousted by Blackman in the last General Election, told HuffPos UK: "Bob Blackman is nasty, out-of-touch and wrong. Just as many Tories are apologising for being on the wrong side of history on Nelson Mandela, this fool glories in it - in the week of Madiba's funeral.

"His last claim to fame was to ask for the restoration of Section 28 [that barred local authorities from "intentionally promoting homosexuality"].

"He is the personification of the Tories as the out-of-touch Nasty Party that everyone thought was history - he was wrong then, he is wrong now and hopefully has only 18 months left as an MP."

On Twitter, users rounded on Blackman:

Tory MP Bob Blackman using the day of Mandela's funeral to remind us how proud he was to oppose him getting any recognition #SameOldTories